Asking Opinions on $$$$ Value

When I was looking for a present, I saw this and liked it. I thought it was interesting. It's supposedly lava, in 9k gold. It's supposedly hand carved and depicts the Spanish artist Jusepe Di Ribera. The broken one I bought is far superior IMO for beauty and uniqueness.

Without looking this up. What do you think the actual value of this is? If you had money, how much would you pay for this?

I think it's a fair price if it's actually hand carved lava. But, I'm beginning to wonder if I know the difference when it comes to something being sold as hand carved lava.

 

similar but not quite.... still...

https://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/estate-jewellery-sep-24-2026/gallery/lot/98/

 

Define this.

Famous artists were a staple of the lava repertory & there are lots of them around. Portraits are often based on medallions, so depictions of any given individual are very much alike.

 

u don't give size ..... & the 14 K beats your 9 K ..... so a ballpark at best !!

 

Actually quite different. Looks to me like a portrait of a real person styled with the the double flute of the Muse Euterpe. This one is definitely hand carved. It's not always so clear when it comes to the Notable Italians & their friends.

 

I will keep on learning from you , ol' wise one !!!

 

I see de Ribera spent most of his life in Naples, which may be why he got picked up by the lava workers. A naturalized Notable Italian.

 

Lo Spagnoletto looks mainly molded, with perhaps some finishing touches such as the nostrils & the space between the upper lip & mustache having been added by hand.

I'm not sure the cameo & the mount started out together. The shape of the brooch does not require a vertically mounted pin stem, and I've never seen a vertical one coupled with this type of more modern hinge. Chipping to the cameo also suggests a relocation.

 

Naples was part of the Spanish kingdom when Ribera lived and worked there.

Debora